Whether you’re a data scientist who wants to break into the finance industry or someone who currently works in finance, this Specialization will help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to develop a strong foundation. Instructor Igor Halperin, who has worked at both JP Morgan Chase and Bloomberg LP, gives us a sneak peek into what you’ll learn below:

How did you become interested in machine learning and finance?

I started in theoretical physics and eventually, that led me to my first job in finance as a quantitative researcher focused on models of option pricing and credit risk modeling. I started using various methods of non-parametric statistics for my models, and then slowly migrated into machine learning methods. I self-educated which is why I wanted to help create this Specialization because I know what it’s like to learn on your own.

Who should take this Specialization?

This course is designed for students of finance or those who already work in finance who want to further their career by growing their skillset. Before taking this Specialization, learners should have a decent understanding of basic math including calculus and linear algebra, basic probability theory and statistics, and some programming skills in Python. People who already know Machine Learning and/or Reinforcement Learning and want to learn about their applications in finance may also benefit from taking this Specialization.

Could this Specialization also benefit a data scientist who wants to work in finance?

Absolutely. Data scientists use many tools from Machine Learning, they just need to learn about Finance in order to understand how to use them in this domain.

Why is it important for someone working in finance to understand machine learning?

Machine Learning gives you more tools in comparison to traditional financial models. When you know both, your abilities quadruple.

How would this specialization give learners a leg up in their careers?

Machine Learning in finance is booming. This Specialization will help people learn on their own and allow them to use their new skills the next day, on the job. It will help those seeking quantitative roles prepare for the next chapter of their career.

Quantitative finance means you’re doing something directly related to machine learning. You’re either using ML as a tool for a specific problem or developing new financial models.